LA JOLLA ELEMENTARY PTO
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General requirements for all volunteers
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School approval: Be sponsored or approved by a school employee.
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Application: Complete the annual School Volunteer Application and Volunteer Code of Conduct.
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Identification: Present a current government-issued photo ID.
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TB clearance: Provide a current Tuberculosis (TB) clearance card or complete a Risk Assessment Questionnaire.
Specific requirements
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Criminal background check: All volunteers are subject to a background check.
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Fingerprinting: New volunteers with unsupervised contact with students must submit fingerprints for both State and National databases.
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Overnight chaperones: Must be fingerprinted.
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Field trip drivers: Must be fingerprinted, and provide proof of driver's license and insurance.
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Returning volunteers: Those with previous fingerprint clearance may only need to submit a background screening request each year.
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Volunteer categories
The SDUSD has different clearance requirements for volunteers based on the type of activities they perform and their level of contact with students.
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Category A: Volunteers who enter a school for one-time events and have minimal or no direct, unsupervised contact with children. Examples include guest speakers or event participants.
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Category B: Volunteers who have more group exposure but limited or no direct, unsupervised contact with children. This includes office helpers or general assistants.
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Tier III: These volunteers have the most extensive contact with students and may work with them in unsupervised settings. This category requires a fingerprinting and background check in addition to the standard requirements.
Volunteer screening requirements for the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) vary depending on the level of interaction a volunteer has with students
. All volunteers must complete an annual application and have tuberculosis (TB) clearance.
General requirements for all volunteers
Regardless of the category, all volunteers must meet these basic requirements:
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Be approved by a school site or district employee.
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Present a government-issued photo ID.
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Sign in at the main office on a district-approved sheet that includes a criminal disclosure statement.
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Wear a volunteer identification badge at all times.
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Submit a School Volunteer Application and Volunteer Code of Conduct form, which are typically required annually.
Volunteer categories and additional requirements
Category A: Visitors or guests (one-time events)
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Purpose: Limited, one-time exposure to students with no unsupervised contact, such as a guest reader or exhibition panel member.
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Screening: Requires the most basic screening, including approval by a staff member, ID verification, and signing in at the front office.
Category B: Group exposure (on-site supervision) involves regular, supervised contact with groups of students. Additional screening includes checking the Megan's Law website and providing TB clearance.
Category C: Unsupervised on-site time involves working directly with students with potential brief unsupervised periods. This category requires a criminal background check by SDUSD School Police Services, potentially including fingerprinting, and TB clearance.
Category D: Unrestricted exposure (unsupervised interaction) involves unsupervised interaction with students, possibly off-campus. This is the most comprehensive screening level. New volunteers need fingerprinting submitted to state and national databases, while returning volunteers need an annual Category C background check. TB clearance is also required.
TB clearance details
TB clearance is needed every four years. It can be obtained through a doctor or clinic, or via a risk assessment from a school nurse.
How to get started
Contacting the specific school where you wish to volunteer is the recommended first step, as they can provide the necessary forms and guidance.
VOLUNTEER SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
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VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT
SDUSD requires volunteers to agree to a Code of Conduct as part of their application process. This code sets expectations for appropriate behavior and professionalism.
TUBERCULOSIS (TB) ASSESSMENT
All volunteers must provide proof of a negative TB test, a Chest X-ray, or a TB Risk Assessment Questionnaire. This clearance is valid for four years.
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If you are new to volunteering or a returning volunteer, please fill out the appropriate SDUSD Volunteer Application forms below.
The San Diego Unified School District mandates that ALL volunteers must fill out a School Volunteer Application and Code of Conduct form YEARLY. ALL volunteers must Provide Adult Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment Questionnaire OR results of Tuberculin skin test every 4 years.
YEARLY MANDATORY VOLUNTEER FORMS
ONE
CHECK WE HAVE YOUR CONTACT DETAILS
Confirm that your family information is current on Classroom Contact Lists, the School Directory and the School Office also has your correct contact details. The PTO manages the LJES School Directory and the deadline for submissions is usually beginning of September.
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REGISTER FOR EBLAST (WHALEMAIL)
To receive emails from La Jolla Elementary School, LJES PTO and Friends of LJES, make sure you have signed up for eBlast communications using the link below. We will usually send 'Signup Genius' invitations ahead of most events either through Whalemail or directly to your email address on file.
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COMPLETE THE VOLUNTEER INTERESTS FORM
Fill out what areas may interest you. If you complete the form online, then it will be sent to our PTO VP for volunteers. Otherwise, your completed form can be emailed to the VP Volunteers or handed to Suzie Payne in the main office. NOTE: Completing this form does not commit you to any particular action, but just means that you will be emailed or contacted when your area of interest is needed to see if you are available.
FOUR
SPEAK TO YOUR ROOM PARENT(S)
Speak to your Room Parent about available volunteer roles in your child's classroom. We have serveral roles available at the beginning of the school year some of which are shared roles - Library Liaison, Class Photographer, Gala Art Project Coordinator, Gala Basket Coordinator, Enrichment Class Helper, Class Garden Coordinator.
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SDUSD VOLUNTEER SCREENING REQUIREMENTS
San Diego Unified School District welcomes and encourages the involvement of parents in school, and mandates that all volunteer programs must follow District Administrative Procedure No.
4595 regarding school volunteers. Please read the volunteer screening requirements. NOTE: All volunteer work must be done under the direction of an assigned teacher, site volunteer coordinator (Suzie Payne), principal or vice principal. Volunteers must comply with the district’s volunteer screening requirements.
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SDUSD VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT
San Diego Unified School District requires each volunteer to read and acknowledge understanding of the Volunteer Code of Conduct which basically defines their expectations for all school volunteers. The signed form must be returned to Suzie Payne in the main office. Any questions can be directed to the PTO VP Volunteers.
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COMPLETE TB RISK ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE
Complete the California School Employee Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment Questionnaire. The TB Clearance paperwork, will be assessed by our LJES school nurse or a medical parent volunteer (usually available on Signup Day at the start of each new school year) or at volunteer training events. TB Assessments are valid for 4 years.
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REQUEST TO CONDUCT VOLUNTEER SCREENING
This form is specifically for Category C and D volunteers ONLY. Category C volunteers have unsupervised time with students while on district property with district personnel on site. Category D volunteers have unrestricted exposure / unsupervised interaction with students, off campus and unsupervised solitary time.​ This form must be signed by our school Principal, Dr Hasselbrink.
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CLASS TEACHER WEEKLY UPDATES
Lookout for class activity volunteers and class trip chaperones. Teachers will usually send parents weekly 'what's happening' updates and there will be many opportunities to volunteer throughout the year!